Personal Gear High Adventure Trips Troop 2970

Big 4 Boots Clothing and Raingear Sleeping Bag and Pad Backpacks

Boots – Your Propulsion System Lightest possible boot that will handle your load Leather – last longer, more support, most protection, but long break-in time Fabric and Leather – less expensive, lighter, minimal break-in time Size with hiking socks and liners Feet swell when hiking To size – slide foot to very front of boot with laces loose, you should be able to get one finger between your heal and the inside of the boot

Clothing No Jeans – No Cotton (please) –If jeans get wet they take forever to dry –Wet cotton sucks heat and retains moisture –They are heavy and don’t breath –Difficult to layer Dry-wick light weight loose fitting clothing –Pants that zip off into shorts –Short sleeve t-shirts (synthetic) – like class B scout shirt Layer clothing –Long johns (dry-wick) no cotton underwear –Fleece pull-over

Be Prepared Always bring rain gear – better dry than wet –Rain jacket – doubles as wind protection in cold –Rain pants –Preferably no ponchos –If it might rain all weekend bring boots not sneakers Cold weather = Layer, Layer, Layer –A hat especially for sleeping –Gloves – warmth / waterproof depends on HA –Warm socks – wool –Change clothes before sleeping, clothes that you didn’t sweat in all day will keep you warmer

Sleeping Bag and Pad Synthetic light weight compressible backpacking sleeping bag Water proof compression bag for sleeping bag Synthetic light weight sleeping bag liner Light weight closed-cell foam or self-inflating pad Water proof bag for pad

Backpacks Backpack –Internal frame preferred Lower Center of Gravity Better for carrying more gear – around 5000 cu in Better for off-trail –External frame not-preferred Better for carrying ~3500 cu in Spaced from your back – cooler, tolerates lumps, etc. –Top Loading More water-proof Better Durability –Compartmented Organization built in – everything has it’s place

Other Required Items Personal First Aid Kit (small) Nalgene – at least two water bottles, quart/liter size Cup, bowl or deep plate, spoon, fork (or spork), in lexan, plastic or metal Flashlight – small Waterproof dry bag for clothes Compass and Map (water proof map bag) Toothbrush and Paste Required Medications

Other Required Items (cont.) Matches & waterproof match container Small pocket knife or multi-tool Sunglasses Sunscreen Insect Repellant Watch Soap (non-polluting) Whistle

Other Required Items (cont.) Compression bag for all clothes Large freezer bags (leave no trace) Daypack for day hikes Toilet paper Hand Sanitizer Duct Tape – small amount Towel – preferably small light weight chamois towel

Optional Items (cont.) Lightweight camp shoes – tennis shoes or water shoes Cotton balls coated in Vaseline for starting fires Handkerchiefs / Bandannas Mosquito head net GPS device Hiking poles Gators Water shoes – closed toe – river crossing

Food Never bring food into tents –Leaves smells –Attracts animals Keep food in bear bags Great hiking snacks to refuel include: –Trail mix –Energy bars –Dried Fruit –Beef Jerky –Cheese and Crackers

Where to Buy Gear Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) – Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) – Campmor – Mountain Gear – Cabela’s –

Leave No Trace Plan Ahead and Prepare Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces Dispose of Waste Properly (Pack It In, Pack it Out) Leave What You Find Minimize Campfire Impacts Respect Wildlife Be Considerate of Other Visitors